“You’ll never be young enough to do this again.”
Alec Baldwin claims he is not a writer. Yet he has written a masterful memoir for theater-goers, film-lovers and non-fiction readers. His book is eloquent, insightful and generous. A page-turner with a jewelry box of relatable lines. “I would stare at Ireland, mesmerized, and say to her tiny being, ‘My God, it’s you! I wondered who would show up and it’s you.'”
Alec has a photographic memory for sweet and sorrowful moments that few could recall. The unremarkable – watching television films with his father; football in the snow with friends – become memorable when he reels you into his 3-D life.
Alec opens a backstage door to theater and television, while capturing the talent, glory and harshness of the film industry. Aspiring actors/actresses could soften heartbreaks by reading this book.
The writer is poetic, sensitive and provocative. He has a bad temper when provoked, but boundless love when appreciated.
I want to say, “Alec, I/we hardly knew you.” Who is this man?
A campaigner for countless causes who throws boxer-trained punches when someone threatens his family. How deplorable, shouted the press. But in reading his book, I understand. Alec Baldwin is irrevocably politically-incorrect – raw and tough. Alec is us as we once were.
Where others might veil their words, Alec explains how he “fell in love” with countless actors and actresses along the way – but definitely not the way you think; how he failed to achieve star-studded, A-list film status; or how he let down people he loved. Where is the whitewash? Alec doesn’t shrink from pay-back, but the attacks are sparing enough that a reader can touch the scars.
For Alec, loss leads to a much greater prize – a soul mate, in his case.
I must thank Karen Gantz for sending me this work. Karen is Alec Baldwin’s indomitable New York literary agent/attorney. I often assist her in helping authors prepare proposals and manuscripts, especially in the memoir niche. I had no role whatsoever in Alec’s project, but Karen said I would enjoy his book. She was right!
Memoir-hopefuls should immerse themselves in Nevertheless before they type. Listen to the pace of the writing. Watch as Alec transforms description into action.
Writing classes should make the book required reading.
Be bold. Remember Alec.